The Cost of Care – Long-term
care (at home, in an assisted-living facility or
nursing home) can easily run from $50,000 to more
than $100,000 a year, depleting your hard-earned
savings. Some options to consider are long term care
insurance and family and retirement planning and
protection.

The Medical Maze – Make sure one
doctor oversees and coordinates all care, especially
as your loved one ages. As care becomes more
complex, multiple doctors may inadvertently
prescribe conflicting treatments. Get to know your
parent’s physician and stay in touch. Know what
health insurance policies are in place and how to
access them.

Life’s Closing Scene – It’s a
hard fact of life that many people end up confused
and afraid, largely because family members weren’t
prepared to make tough choices. The best way to
avoid this is to talk in advance, both specifically
and in some depth, about your loved one’s fears and
hopes, and how they want decisions handled. Then
brace yourself to follow those wishes.